rioo interconnection services ie sign up reference · 2019. 5. 24. · rioo interconnection...

RIOO Interconnection Services IE Sign Up Reference

Version 3.26.19

RIOO Interconnection Services IE Sign Up Reference ERCOT Public

Release Information Version 3.26.19 i

ERCOT RIOO IS Release Information

March 26, 2019

ERCOT announced the next release of Resource Integration and Ongoing Operations

Interconnection Services (RIOO IS) on March 26, 2019.

Through the RIOO IS website, companies interested in proposing a new generation resource at a

new or existing generation site authorize their Interconnecting Entity (IE) to submit an online

generation interconnection request (INR) for the generation resource to be interconnected to the

Texas power grid. The Transmission Service Provider/Transmission Distribution Service Provider

(TSP/TDSP) who owns the power lines in the area of the proposed resource studies analyzes and

studies the INR to determine the economic feasibility of the project and the effect the resource may

have on the grid.

For the best user experience, ERCOT recommends using Google Chrome as the web browser

for Interconnection Services. Using Microsoft Internet Explorer may cause some issues to occur,

including page loading issues requiring multiple page refreshes; getting stuck on the login page

unless the ERCOT Interconnection Services site and the authentication apps used are listed as

trusted sites; and slow page loading.

Product Update in this Release

Online payment is now available for IEs to pay the fees associated with submitting an INR and a

Full Interconnection Study (FIS) request. ERCOT accepts credit card payments and electronic

checks (often referred to as automated clearinghouse electronic funds transfers, or ACH,

payments) from personal checking and business accounts. The new online payment instructions

are available in the INR and FIS Change Request sections in the RIOO IS IE User Guide.

Accessing the RIOO IS Website

You can access the RIOO Interconnection Services website from the Resource Entities page on the

ERCOT website (ercot.com > Services > Registration and Qualification > Resource entities)

using the blue Launch button (refer to page 1 of this guide).

The ERCOT RIOO Interconnection Services IE User Guide provides information and instructions for

using the Interconnection Requests List and its features for creating and maintaining the online

INRs is also available from the Resource Entities page.

http://www.ercot.com/content/wcm/lists/168329/RIOO_Interconnection_Services_IE_Guide.pdf


Preface Version 3.26.19 ii

About this Guide

This guide describes the steps involved to assist Interconnecting Entities (IEs) with signing up for

an ERCOT Resource Integration and Ongoing Operations (RIOO) – Interconnection Services

account that enables the IEs to create and submit online generation interconnection requests

(INRs) for new generation resources to be connected to the Texas power grid.

Your account login requires an email address, which must be unique to ERCOT Interconnection Services;

that is, you cannot use the same email address if you have multiple roles within the system.


Preface Version 3.26.19 iii

Contents About the Interconnection Services Account Sign Up Process ......................................................... 1

Web Browser Considerations ....................................................................................................... 1

Understanding the Required Authentication .................................................................................. 2

Working Through the Process ...................................................................................................... 2

Option 1: Signing Up and Using Auth0 Guardian as the Authentication App .................................... 4

Signing Up for Your Account ......................................................................................................... 4

Verifying Your Account Log In .................................................................................................... 12

Option 2: Signing Up and Using Google Authenticator as the Authentication App .......................... 15

Signing Up for Your Account ....................................................................................................... 15


Option 3: Signing Up and Using the SMS Authentication Method .................................................. 24

Signing Up for Your Account ....................................................................................................... 25



About the Interconnection Services Account Sign Up Process Version 3.26.19 1

About the Interconnection Services Account Sign Up Process

Before you can create an online INR, you must first sign up for an account on the ERCOT on the

Interconnection Services website. To access this site, you can go the Resources Entities page on

the ERCOT website (ercot.com > Services > Registration and Qualification > Resource

entities) and click the blue Launch button.

Web Browser Considerations

For the best user experience, ERCOT recommends using Google Chrome as your web browser for

ERCOT Interconnection Services. If you use Microsoft Internet Explorer, some issues may occur,

including page loading issues that will require you to refresh your page from time to time and being

stuck on the login page if you do not add Auth0 Guardian or Google Authenticator as a trusted site.

If the “Whoops something went wrong” error message displays, check to be sure the site is listed as

a trusted site.



Understanding the Required Login Authentication

The ERCOT Interconnection Services application uses multifactor authentication for account login.

This means that ERCOT asks you to enter your email account and create a password for the

account as the first means of authentication. And then, you must use another means of

authentication to verify your access attempt.

ERCOT suggests three different options for this second authentication factor:

Auth0 Guardian, a free app that you can download to your smartphone (from the App Store or

Google Play). During sign up, you hold your phone up to your computer and scan a bar code

that the ERCOT system will use to identify you. Each time you attempt to log in with your

ERCOT login credentials (your email address as your user name and your password that you

created), Guardian pushes a new message to your smartphone where you are prompted to click

an Allow button to verify that you have made the login request.

Or, Google Authenticator, a different free app that you can download to your smartphone

(from the App Store or Google Play). During sign up, you hold your phone up to your computer

and scan a bar code that the ERCOT system will use to identify you. Each time you attempt to

log in with your ERCOT login credentials (your email address as your user name and your

password that you created), Authenticator pushes a new authentication code to your

smartphone that you must enter into an ERCOT page to verify that you have made the login

request.

Or, SMS Text Authentication, which uses your text message-enabled mobile phone - not

necessarily a smartphone – and is not as secure. During sign up, you are asked to submit your

phone number. Each time you attempt to log in with your ERCOT login credentials (your email

address as your user name and your password that you created), the SMS security system

sends a 6-digit verification code that you must enter into the code verification page to

authenticate your login request.

If you have an authentication program already on your smartphone, you most likely can use that app to

register and log in to Interconnection Services.

Working through the Signup Process

The sign up process involves working through a series of pages on the ERCOT Interconnection

Services website and several authentication screens on your mobile phone plus one verification

email sent to your email account.

To accomplish the tasks involved with sign up, you must have:

Access to the Internet to get to the ERCOT Interconnection Services website.



An email address at which you can receive email during this sign-up process. This email

address also serves as your user name for the account login.

A mobile telephone number at which you can receive text messages during this sign up process

from the authentication app you select to use.

After your account is created successfully, you will be prompted to log in to your new account to be

sure you can view the Interconnection Requests List page. Note that you will need to enter an

authentication code sent to your phone as well as your login information.

Before you begin, you should:

Have your email account open to your Inbox so you can open the email messages sent to

your account during this process

Have a text editor (such as Notepad or Word) file open that you named something like

ERCOT Auth Information so you can easily copy in your recovery code as recommended

when you work through this process

Download either the AUTH0 Guardian or Google Authenticator authentication app from either the Apple Store or Google Play to your smartphone. (If you do not use a smartphone, you can use the SMS authentication methods described in this guide.)


Option 1: Signing Up and Using Auth0 Guardian as the Authentication App Version 3.26.19 4

Option 1: Signing Up and Using Auth0 Guardian as the Authentication App

This section contains the steps for signing up for an Interconnection Services account, setting up

Auth0 Guardian as your authentication app, and then logging in to verify your access.

Auth0 Guardian is in the process of updating certain product screens. Some of the screens pictured here

may be replaced by those updated screens.

Signing Up for Your Account

After launching RIOO Interconnection Services from the Resource Entities page on the ERCOT

website by clicking the large blue Launch RIOO Interconnection Service button, the Log In/Sign Up

page displays for you to sign up. Next, you choose your authentication method and go through the

registration process screens, web pages, and emails to associate your method with Interconnection

Services. After your account is successfully created, you will log in and display your Interconnection

Requests List page.

The list will display with your existing INRs that have been migrated to this new system. If you are new to

the process, your list will be blank.



Resource Entities Page

Display the Resource Entities page on the ERCOT website (ercot.com > Services >

Registration and Qualification > Resource entities) and click the blue Launch button.

Log In/Sign Up Page

Click this Sign Up tab.



Sign Up Page

On this page:

Type in, as your user name, the email address

where you can receive email about this account.

Type in a password for logging into this account

using the rules displayed as you type.

Type in your first name and last name to associate

with this account.

Type in the telephone number to associate with

this account. Type in only the numbers (no spaces).

And, optionally enter an extension if one exists.

Click the User Agreement link, read the

information and close the window, and then click

the checkbox.

Click the SIGN UP > button.



Authentication Method Page

Bar Code Page

Click the I’ve already downloaded it link.

If you have not already downloaded the Auth0 Guardian

app, you can download it now using one of the App Store

or Google Play buttons on this page.

However, if you download the app now, Interconnection

Services may time out and display the login page for you

to start your sign up over again.

When this page displays, open your

smartphone and click the Guardian app

to open the app to the scanner.



Scan Bar Code Page (On Phone)

Recovery Code Page

Position your phone over the bar code until

the bar code border turns green to indicate it

was scanned.

Copy this code and paste it into the file you

opened earlier for this purpose (refer to

page 2).

Click the to continue.

Click the checkbox.

On this page:



Congratulations, You are all Set Page

Sent Push and Remember This Browser Page

Click the Continue link.


Before you go to your phone to get the

Authenticator message, click the Remember

this browser checkbox to avoid having to go to

your phone to get the authentication message

for the next 30 days.



Guardian Auth0 Notification (On Phone)

Guardian Auth0 Push Message (On Phone)

On your phone, locate the Interconnection

Services message and click >.

And then, click the Allow button.



Almost Done Page – Go to Your Email

Verify Account Email (in Your Inbox)

Click the VERIFY MY ACCOUNT button.

When this page displays, open your email Inbox and

open the Verify your email message (from

ercot.com).



Congratulations Page

Verifying Your Account Log In

Now you will log in using the user name (email address) and password created at sign up and your

authentication app to be sure you can access your Interconnection Requests List.

Log In Page

Click the Continue button.

Type the email address you used to

sign up.

Type the password you created at sign up.

Note: If you do not remember your password,

click the Don’t remember your password?

link. Refer to Resetting Your Forgotten

Password in the User Guide.

Click the LOG IN > button.

On this page:



Authentication Request Process (On Phone)

If you did not click the Remember this browser

checkbox in an earlier step, you will need to go

to your phone to authenticate again.

Locate the Guardian message on your phone

and swipe to open it.

Tap the Allow button.



Your Interconnection Requests List Page

This list is not populated if you are new to this process (above) or with your current INRs listed

(below) if you have already submitted at least one INR.


Option 2: Signing Up and Using Google Authenticator as the Authentication App Version 3.26.19 15

Option 2: Signing Up and Using Google Authenticator as the Authentication App

This section contains the steps for signing up for an Interconnection Services account, setting

Google Authenticator as your authentication app, and then logging in to verify your access.


After launching RIOO Interconnection Services from the Resource Entities page on ercot.com, the

Log In/Sign Up page displays for you to enter your account information. Next, you choose your

authentication method and go through the registration process screens, web pages, and emails to

associate your method with the Interconnection Services application.


Display the Resource Enties page on the ERCOT website (ercot.com > Services >


http://ercot.com/services/rq/re



Log In Page




Sign Up Page





Type in your first name and last name to

associate with this account.

Type in the telephone number to associate

with this account. Type in only the numbers

(no spaces). And, optionally enter an

extension if one exists.


information and close the window, and then

click the checkbox.


On this page:




Bar Code Page

Click the Google Authenticator link.

If you have not downloaded the Google Authenticator app,

you can download it now using one of the App Store or

Google Play buttons on this page.

However, if you download the app now, Interconnection

Services may time out and display the login page for you

to start your sign up over again.

When this page displays, open your

smartphone and click the Google

Authenticator app to open it..



Scan Bar Code Page (On Phone)

Recover Code Page

Position your phone over the bar code until the bar

code border turns green to indicate it was scanned.



page 2).


Click the checkbox.

On this page:



Congratulations, You are all Set Page

Authenticator App Code Page (On Phone)

Go to your phone for your authentication

code from Authenticator and copy it.




Enter Code from Authenticator Page


Open your email Inbox and open the Verify your

email message (from ercot.com).

Paste or type in the 6-digit code from the

Authenticator screen on your phone


Click the Remember this browser checkbox

so you do not have to do this step for the next

7 days.

Complete the following:




Now you will log in using the user name (email address) and password created at sign up to be

sure you can access the Interconnection Request List.

Log In Page

** If you did not click the Remember this browser checkbox or 7 days have gone by since your last login, the

Get Verification Code page displays after you finish this page.

Type the email address you used to sign up.



click the Don’t remember your password? link.

Refer to Resetting Your Forgotten Password in

the User Guide.


On this page:

Type in the 6 numbers of your new code.

Go to your mobile phone and open

Authenticator. A new code should display.

Click to continue to the Interconnection

Request List page.


Option 3: Signing Up and Using the SMS Text Message Authentication Method Version 3.26.19 25

Option 3: Signing Up and Using the SMS Text Message Authentication Method

This section contains the steps for signing up for an Interconnection Services account, setting your

authentication, and then logging in to verify your access.


After launching RIOO Interconnection Services from the Resource Entities page on ercot.com, the

Log In/Sign Up page displays for you to enter your account information. Next, you choose your

authentication method and go through the registration process screens, web pages, and emails to

associate your method with the Interconnection Services application.


Display the Resource Enties page on the ERCOT website (ercot.com > Services >


http://ercot.com/services/rq/re



Log In Page




Sign Up Page





Type in your first name and last name to

associate with this account.

Type in the telephone number to associate with

this account. Type in only the numbers (no spaces).

And, optionally enter an extension if one exists.


information and close the window, and then

click the checkbox.


On this page:




Phone Number Page

Type in a valid mobile phone number for

ERCOT to send you an authentication code

and then click the button to continue to

the next page.

Click the SMS link.



SMS Message on Phone

Enter the Authentication Code Page

Open your phone and look for the verification

code message.

Type in the 6 numbers of the verification

message displayed onyour phone.

Click the button to continue to the next

page.


to avoid having to do this for the next 7 days.

On this page:



Recovery Code Page

Continue Page


On this page:



page 2).


Click the checkbox.






Open your email Inbox and open the Verify your

email message (from ercot.com).





Now you will log in using the user name (email address) and password created at sign up to be

sure you can access the Interconnection Request List.

Log In Page

On this page:

Type the email address you used to sign up.



click the link. Refer to Resetting Your Forgotten

Password in the User Guide.





** If you did not click the Remember this browser checkbox or 7 days have gone by since your last login, the

Get Verification Code page displays after you finish this page.

Go to your phone and open the message.

Type in the 6 numbers of the verification

message displayed onyour phone.

Click the button to continue to the next

page.


to avoid having to do this for the next 7 days.

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rioo interconnection services ie sign up reference · 2019. 5. 24. · rioo interconnection...

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